Why I Decided Not To Buy The Spark 2

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Link to Spark amps

The Yamaha amp I use

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[ambrosgonzales]

I own all the Spark amps—the 40, Mini, and Go—and the cab. I use them all the time. I just got my Spark 2 yesterday, and it's vastly improved. The looper is fun to nerd out on. No regrets here. I would recommend it 100%. I love the video, Phil.

[slsalkin]

I loved the style of this video, like sitting in the room while you evaluate. I know you want to sit with things for a lot longer, and that's fair. But there's something really interesting about seeing your reactions and thoughts happening in real time, even knowing that they are provisional. Also really like how you consistently focused on getting the usable tones and functions that you need, knowing that those are, and being able to explain that and how the product is meeting or failing to meet them. (I actually think you struggle a bit with this in guitar land, where narrative or idea of a guitar is often a big factor in your interest.) Anyway, just wanted to say that I did appreciate seeing your off-the-cull reactions to new gear, and that I'd rather see this than not see anything because the full evaluation etc would take too much playing and production time.

[rbaker]

I really liked this style of review. Informal, true reaction, less produced and clinical. Like to see more of this type of "evaluation".

And we need to see a lot more of your birthday guitar!

[wagzzzz]

Have the spark mini. It’s perfect. Sits on my end table. Love it for practice.

[caseyodonnell]

Got mine last weekend. This is much better than the Spark 40. As it is, it's a great practice amp where the THR's (I have the original 10, 30, and the 100HD) are just great amps. The sound quality of the Spark 2 is improved but it's still a little boomy, particularly when playing bluetooth audio. I think your video illustrates this and reflects my experience as well. At least the tonestack works well and you can cut the boominess out of the guitar signal. The audio quality is decent out of the speakers but it's does get a little spicy in the treble and has some sibilants in s's and t's when playing bluetooth audio. I double checked, and this isn't present with headphones or via the line outs so I'm pretty sure it's the drivers.

I really like the improved sound and added functionality. It's great for bedroom players like myself. The looper and the app are outstanding. Line out into and through a good set of monitors and all of those issues are addressed. But if you're going to do that, you can save yourself some money and just get the mini or go and get everything but the looper.

Thanks for always giving your honest opinions Phil. Everyone else is just praising Positive Grid on this. There's value in pointing out a products shortcomings so people can make educated buying decisions.

[rockerbuck]

Glad to see you like the Yamaha amp! I have two generations of the THR, and I love them both - I'll use them until they die. Easy to use and sound great. Yamaha knows sound, but you knew that already I'm sure. In my mind, they can keep the Spark stuff.

[paultaylor]

Great format Phil. Felt like exactly what I would do with a new amp when I got it out of the box . I sold my old spark 40 6m ago for £199 and bought the new one for £220 arrived last week.
It's exactly as you say . The ai will improve . It's less bassy and the looper is fine.

[loonsailor]

I haven't tried the Spark, but I recently bought a Nux Mighty Space as an "upgrade" from my Yamaha THR10iiW. I returned the Nux for several reasons, one of which is a human factor issue that seems to be shared by the Spark. I use the amp on a desk while sitting down and, like you in this video, facing me. One of the things I love about the THR is that the knobs are right on top, in front and visible. The Nux and the Spark have all the knobs recessed in the back of the amp, so to adjust anything you need to stand up, or at least crane your neck and bend way over, to see the knobs and labels. Seems like a really poor design decision. For now, I'm sticking with the Yamaha, though I really do wish they'd add a looper.

[RezaKhan]

Probably one of the most honest, entertaining, informative, enjoyable reviews I have seen on YT ever Thank you.

[KittyKatMan]

I got mine late last week. It is superior in every way to the spark 40. No more overwhelming bass, no more half cocked wah sound. Amp models sound crisper. Whether that is worth ditching the 40 depends on how much you like the spark concept and how much its shortcomings bother you. I definitely don't regret the purchase.

[LJM]

Im happy to hear you say it's definitely improved. I bought the 40 when it first released and sent it back, have the Mini and love it so I ordered the Spark 2 with the supposed sound improvements.

[elenbrandt]

In Phil We Trust! Thanks for your truly objective review...

[adam]

I enjoy the video format. Kinda just hanging out, spontaneous, stream of consciousness. It really compliments the feel of the Friday night shows.

[davidbrosseau]

I watch a lot of gear videos. Phil, you have a singular talent for this. Your format is informative and concise yet relaxed and easy to watch, always seems to hit on all the important points, and honest... never "selling" anything. And you technique is excellent. Many sound demos have sloppy playing but I'd watch yours just to hear you play. Thanks for all the great videos over the last... 10 years or so? Anyway, great comparison here.

[leonelayala]

Was looking to get a spark 40. Just realized there is a second one. Just ordered thank you!

[KyunghweeChoi]

Thanks for the great review. I also have the original Spark 40, Spark Mini, Spark Go & Yamaha THR30ii, so I was very interested in Phil's take. I do agree that Spark Mini has the best sound out of the original line-up, and that THR30ii does sound clearer. As much as I am tempted with a new shiny toy, I think I will pass on Spark 2...for now

[pwlebrun]

This was a different kind of gear review from the ones you usually do, and for this product I think it was the right approach and made for a great video. The ideal review of it in a way: it a-b’ed it with the Mini and the Yamaha, we got to see you try to dial in tones. Thanks for this; it was helpful. (For my own needs I think I’d still buy the Mini. I like its smaller footprint though I wish it had more controls on the panel rather than having to use the app for most tweaking.)

[Civic.]

This was a very informative video Phil, it's very helpful to hear them all side by side this way. Thank you for making it.

[HAMMERHEAD-gh]

Thank you for the video. I just ordered one of these and I was kind of on the fence because people were saying they sounded too harsh compared to the regular 40.

[scottv]

thanks for the helpful video. the mini definitely sounds surprisingly great for its size. i think it might be a little more "amp like" than my spark 40. for me the two big features for the spark 2 are the line outs and the optional battery. i am definitely going to go for the spark 2 because i will be able to use it in more situations than i can with the spark 40. positive grid has definitely come out with some great products over the years. at one point many years ago i was using the positive grid app with just an iphone and iphone-compatible audio interface going direct to house for some gigs and that was a pretty good sounding digital modelling rig for the time.